BEST CREDIT CARDSBEST CREDIT CARDSBEST NO ANNUAL FEE TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS OF NOVEMBER 2024
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Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards of November 2024

Updated: Oct 31, 2024
Sara Rathner
Written by
Senior Writer/Spokesperson
Caitlin Mims
Reviewed by
Content Management Specialist
Erin Hurd
Edited by
Fact Checked
Fact Checked
Sara Rathner
Written by
Senior Writer/Spokesperson
Caitlin Mims
Reviewed by
Content Management Specialist
Erin Hurd
Edited by
Fact Checked
Fact Checked
+ 2 more
+ 2 more
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

No-annual-fee travel credit cards offer rewards for no yearly cost of card ownership. This can be appealing to frugal or infrequent travelers. Keep in mind, however, that these cards lack the richer rewards and perks of cards that do charge annual fees. For some travelers, paying an annual fee is worth it thanks to incentives like travel credits, bonus rewards, airport lounge access, free checked bags, priority boarding, hotel status and more.

  • 400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)

  • 80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

  • 27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months

  • Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.

  • 400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)

  • 80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance

  • 27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months

  • Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)

NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.

NerdWallet's Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards of November 2024

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Best No Annual Fee Travel Credit Cards

Credit card
NerdWallet rating
Annual feeRewards rateIntro offerLearn more
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost ImageCapital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost
Best for Capital One miles

$0

1.25x-5x

Miles
40,000
miles
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card ImageWells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Best for All-around rewards

$0

1x-3x

Points
20,000
points
Discover it® Miles ImageDiscover it® Miles
Best for Simple rewards + matching bonus

$0

1.5x

Miles
Discover Match®
Hilton Honors American Express Card ImageHilton Honors American Express Card
Best for Hilton points

$0

3x-7x

Points
100,000
points
Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card ImageBilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card
Best for Rewards on rent payments

None

1X-3X

Points
N/A
United Gateway℠ Card ImageUnited Gateway℠ Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Best for United miles

$0

1x-2x

Miles
20,000
miles
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card ImageMarriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Best for Marriott points

$0

1x-14x

Points
60,000
points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card ImageBank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
Best for Flat-rate rewards

$0

1.5x

Points
25,000
points
Apply Now
on Bank of America's website
on Bank of America's website
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card ImageIHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
Best for IHG points

$0

1x-17x

Points
100,000
points
Apply Now
on Chase's website
on Chase's website
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® ImageAmerican Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
Best for AAdvantage miles

$0

1x-2x

Miles
15,000
miles
Choice Privileges® Mastercard® ImageChoice Privileges® Mastercard®
Best for Choice Hotels points

$0

1x-5x

Points
40,000
points
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card ImageDelta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Best for Delta miles

$0

1x-2x

Miles
10,000
miles
JetBlue Card ImageJetBlue Card
Best for JetBlue points

$0

1x-3x

Points
10,000
points
Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card ImageBest Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
Best for Best Western rewards

$0

2x-4x

Points
Up to 40,000 Points
save money

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Our pick for

Capital One miles

Our pick for

All-around rewards

Our pick for

Simple rewards + matching bonus

Our pick for

Hilton points

Our pick for

Rewards on rent payments

Our pick for

United miles

Our pick for

Marriott points

Our pick for

Flat-rate rewards

Our pick for

IHG points

Our pick for

AAdvantage miles

Our pick for

Choice Hotels points

Our pick for

Delta miles

Our pick for

JetBlue points

Our pick for

Best Western rewards

FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST NO ANNUAL FEE TRAVEL CARDS

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Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.

» FOR GENERAL-PURPOSE TRAVEL REWARDS

Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Our pick for: All-around rewards

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Our pick for: Flat-rate rewards

One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase, with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how you use your rewards. Read our review.

Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card

Our pick for: Rewards on rent payments

The Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit Card stands out by offering credit card rewards on rent payments without incurring an additional transaction fee. The ability to earn rewards on what for many people is their single biggest monthly expense makes this card worth a look for any renter. You also get bonus points on dining and travel when you make at least five transactions on the card each statement period, and redemption options include point transfers to partner hotel and loyalty programs. Read our review.

Discover it® Miles

Our pick for: Simple rewards + matching bonus

The Discover it® Miles is the rare travel credit card that lets you redeem your rewards for travel or for cash back at the same rate. (Also rare among travel cards is its intro APR period for balance transfers.) You earn unlimited 1.5 miles per dollar spent on purchases, and the miles are generally worth 1 cent apiece — that's a solid rate for a card with no annual fee. As with other Discover cards, this one matches the rewards you earn in your first year. Read our review.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost

Our pick for: Capital One miles

With the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - Miles Boost, you don't pay an annual fee, but you also don't get rewards as rich as those on the regular Venture card (see rates and fees). Still, the bonus offer makes this a solid card for starting out with travel rewards. Read our review.

» FOR AIRLINE TRAVEL

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®

Our pick for: AAdvantage miles

For occasional but loyal American Airlines flyers, the no-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® is a cost-effective way to earn not only miles but also credit toward elite frequent-flyer status. Read our review.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Our pick for: Delta miles

To unlock the most valuable perks of airline credit cards, you'll have to pay an annual fee. But if you're a leisure traveler just hoping to earn airline miles in the background, it's hard to do better than the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Read our review.

United Gateway℠ Card

Our pick for: United miles

This entry-level card gives occasional leisure flyers who prefer United Airlines a way to try out an airline credit card for free. Unlike a lot of cards in its class, it won't cost anything to carry, even if you seldom use it. But it lacks valuable airline-card perks, such as free checked bags and early boarding. Read our review.

JetBlue Card

Our pick for: JetBlue points

With the JetBlue Card, you can earn easy rewards on everyday purchases in addition to airfare. And you won’t have to worry about blackout dates once you’re ready to redeem them. Read our review.

» FOR HOTEL REWARDS

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Our pick for: Marriott points

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card offers bonus rewards not only on purchases at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, but also on other useful spending categories. Plus, you'll earn automatic Silver status and the valuable perks that come with it. Read our review.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Our pick for: Hilton points

The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns bonus rewards on Hilton stays and in common everyday categories. You also get automatic Hilton Honors™ Silver status. Terms apply. Read our review.

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

Our pick for: IHG points

The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card earns rewards quickly on IHG hotel stays and eligible everyday purchases. Read our review.

Choice Privileges® Mastercard®

Our pick for: Choice Hotels

The Choice Privileges® Mastercard® earns a fairly high rate on stays at Choice Hotels, as well as on major everyday spending categories. It's a solid choice if you're a Choice loyalist, but a general-purpose travel card offers more flexibility. Read our review.

Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card

Our pick for: Wyndham points

The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card rewards you well for Wyndham stays, while also earning bonus points in some popular everyday categories. It offers Gold status and a way to earn a free night each year if you spend enough, all for a $0 annual fee. Read our review.

Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card

Our pick for: Best Western rewards

The Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card offers solid rewards you can redeem for stays and a variety of other options. With automatic Gold status, you also get additional perks. Read our review.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, see this page.

ASK OUR CREDIT CARD EXPERTS

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Melissa Lambarena avatarMelissa Lambarena

WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

The annual fee has to be easy to make up with the card’s perks and rewards. It can’t take a lot of brain power or planning for me. As long as I’m not required to jump through hoops and overspend for the card to pay for itself, I’m open to a higher annual fee.

Melissa Lambarena avatar

Melissa Lambarena

Writer, credit cards

WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

I think once an annual fee exceeds $95 — which is more or less the mass-market standard on a travel card — you need to be prepared to do some math to ensure you're getting a deal.

Kenley Young avatar

Kenley Young

Editor, credit cards

WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

Oftentimes a big sign-up bonus can negate the annual fee for multiple years, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a card without much out-of-pocket expense.

Craig Joseph avatar

Craig Joseph

Writer, travel rewards

WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

I pay more than $1,000 in annual fees on credit cards, so my line is, uh, not exactly low. Maybe this is obvious, but if you can't justify the benefits with ease, then don't keep the card open. And the ability to justify those benefits varies by not just person, but the stage of your life. A credit card with automatic elite status and free hotel night certificates might make sense the year you're having your honeymoon, but not the year you're raising infants. The second you start to get anxiety about using the benefits (as opposed to being thankful for all your upgrades and other VIP perks) is the second you should drop that card.

Sally French avatar

Sally French

Writer/spokesperson, travel rewards

  • Melissa Lambarena avatarMelissa Lambarena
  • Kenley Young avatarKenley Young
  • Craig Joseph avatarCraig Joseph
  • Sally French avatarSally French
  • WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

    The annual fee has to be easy to make up with the card’s perks and rewards. It can’t take a lot of brain power or planning for me. As long as I’m not required to jump through hoops and overspend for the card to pay for itself, I’m open to a higher annual fee.

    Melissa Lambarena avatar

    Melissa Lambarena

    Writer, credit cards

    WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

    I think once an annual fee exceeds $95 — which is more or less the mass-market standard on a travel card — you need to be prepared to do some math to ensure you're getting a deal.

    Kenley Young avatar

    Kenley Young

    Editor, credit cards

    WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

    Oftentimes a big sign-up bonus can negate the annual fee for multiple years, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a card without much out-of-pocket expense.

    Craig Joseph avatar

    Craig Joseph

    Writer, travel rewards

    WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE ON PAYING AN ANNUAL FEE?

    I pay more than $1,000 in annual fees on credit cards, so my line is, uh, not exactly low. Maybe this is obvious, but if you can't justify the benefits with ease, then don't keep the card open. And the ability to justify those benefits varies by not just person, but the stage of your life. A credit card with automatic elite status and free hotel night certificates might make sense the year you're having your honeymoon, but not the year you're raising infants. The second you start to get anxiety about using the benefits (as opposed to being thankful for all your upgrades and other VIP perks) is the second you should drop that card.

    Sally French avatar

    Sally French

    Writer/spokesperson, travel rewards

    METHODOLOGY

    BACK TO TOP

    NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.

    About the author

    Portrait of author

    Sara Rathner

    Sara is a NerdWallet travel and credit cards expert. She has appeared on the “Today” show, Nasdaq and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report.” Read full profile
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